Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

A writer from the United States, the highly popular author Jon Scieszka has been bringing out children’s books for quite some time now, with him being one of the forerunners of his literary field and a true master of his craft. With an extremely bright and inventive style, he’s well known for being highly colorful and imaginative, with his witty and warm approach to the art-form. Not only that, but he’s also fairly prominent on television as well, with a TV show having been adapted from his ‘Time Warp Trio’ series of books for kids, teaching them history in a fun and humorous manner.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1954 on the 8th of September, the future writer to be Jon Scieszka was born and raised in the area of Flint, Michigan in the United States. The son of Louis and Shirley Scieszka, he was the second oldest among a total of six sons whilst growing up. Growing up, his father Louis was a former principal of an elementary school, something which helped to inspire him throughout his career.

Attending and graduating from Culver Military Academy situated in Indiana, he soon graduated from high-school. Going on to attend the Albion College based in Michigan, he gained a qualification in pre-med and English for his B.A. Later he would also go on and get himself a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University, which was focused on fictional writing.

Going on to teach in an elementary school himself following his education, he gained a first-hand level of experience working with children. Whilst this was mostly focused on teaching the second grade students there, he would gain an insight that would serve him well later on in his career. He’s also managed painting apartments in the past too, along with finding his feet writing for various magazines too.

Still writing to this very day, he continues to write from his home in Brooklyn in New York, living with his wife and two children. Always looking for new ideas, he constantly keeps himself busy and active, with a number of different projects running at any one time. With a lot more to come yet, his writing career is growing from strength-to-strength, something that won’t be slowing down in the near future.

Writing Career

Starting out in magazine writing and editing, Scieszka has kept this up throughout his writing career, being a prominent feature in a number of regular publications. Publishing his first book in 1989, though, he made his way onto the scene with ‘The True Story of The Three Little Pigs’, a well received picture book of the time. Making its way into the ‘Top 100 Picture Books of All Time’ in 2012, his fate as one of the most popular children’s authors was secured.

With a whole host of picture books under his belt, he became a firm favorite in the classroom and with teachers for some time. Putting out ‘The Time Warp Trio’ long-running series as well, and his place as one of the most sought after children’s authors was secured. Other popular franchises includes his ‘Trucktown’ series, along with his ‘Spaceheadz’ and ‘Frank Einstein’ collections as well.

In 2008 and 2009 it was the Librarian of Congress that appointed him to become the U.S. Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. That’s not the only recognition he’s gotten for his work, though, with a whole host of awards spanning over the entirety of his writing career. From the beginning he was instantly recognized for his talent and his humorous and witty contributions to the genre.

Maintaining a positive presence within the industry, he’s worked at getting young males to read with ‘Guys Read’, a literacy program based online. Aiming to create lifelong readers out of young men, he aims to increase literacy rates among children to young adults. He’s doing this by ensuring that they overcome any confidence and motivational issues, leading to it becoming a national past-time for many.

Travelling throughout schools nationally across all of America, he seeks to build and improve literacy rates among the young. Whether it’s attending conferences and events, or simply speaking to students, he’s built himself a strong profile as one of the major advocates of children’s literacy. Continuing this trend, he’ll carry on being a major figure for some time to come, as he doesn’t show signs of stopping any time soon.

Sam Samurai

Number ten in the ongoing and long-running ‘Time Warp Trio’ series, this continues the adventure of the eponymous characters. With Adam McCauley illustrating it, it’s a bright and inventive book, that draws its young readers in to the action. First brought out in the year of 2001, it was originally published through the Puffin Books publishing label.

In this particular adventure the ever intrepid trio are assigned a haiku as homework, leading them to find out more. This means heading over to Japan and, not just content with modern day Japan, they head back to the 17th Century, whereby they learn the history of the form. With lessons on the renga and hokku, they get down to what really makes a great haiku work so they can turn a grade a poem to their teacher. Will they be able to find what makes the best haiku? Can they make the most of their time learning there? What will become of Sam Samurai?

Initially brought out in 2008, this was originally released on the 1st of October through the Viking Books for Young Readers publishing label. A stand-alone title from the author, it manages to provide some insight into his own life and his many inspirations. Giving the reader an insight into what makes the writer tick, it captures his zany madcap level of humor that readers have come to know and love.

Following his life and his growing up in Flint in Michigan, this charts the many adventures with both him and his brothers. Going through Catholic school and reading lots of comics, he charts the highs and the lows of what made him the writer he currently is today. Working through a certain sense of nostalgia for the past, it provides a clear window into how Scieszka thinks and operates. It’s a must for anyone looking to learn more on the author, as it allows readers to find out more on his development as an author over the years.

All Gabriel Allon fans will be eagerly anticipating this one - your favourite spy is back in The New Girl, coming to bookshelves in mid-July. In this one, a girl is kidnapped from an exclusive private school in Switzerland and Gabriel Allon is brought on board to find her. More Details.

Recommendations

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Did You Know…

Ian McEwan was born in Aldershot, Hampshire although he spent his early childhood in different countries such as Singapore, Germany and Libya as his father was in the military